I have seen some Hindus facing sideways, like parallel to murtis while praying. Sometimes even sitting that way instead of facing the murti directly. Why?
I have seen some Hindus facing sideways, like parallel to murtis while praying. Sometimes even sitting that way instead of facing the murti directly. Why?
Yes I remember seeing this in some TV serial too...but it did not really strike me then.
Good you brought this up but frankly speaking God is supposed to be in all directions so I guess which ever direction is fine.
May be experts can advise here.
Thank you everyone for your replies. Yeah even I saw a couple of times in some serials, especially TB people praying side ways. Even in the temple here some do. I thought perhaps its because they felt it direspectful to face the sannidhi/murti/picture directly and to show reverence.
Thank you everyone for your replies. Yeah even I saw a couple of times in some serials, especially TB people praying side ways. Even in the temple here some do. I thought perhaps its because they felt it direspectful to face the sannidhi/murti/picture directly and to show reverence.
I have seen some Hindus facing sideways, like parallel to murtis while praying. Sometimes even sitting that way instead of facing the murti directly. Why?
Once a person takes Deeksha to perform the Pooja, the procedure is taught very clearly. There are many instructions and different people follow different methods. First of all, one has to follow certain general guidelines while performing pooja. There is a booklet in this connection in Giri Trading Company explaining all the features. Before we discuss about the pooja, there are certain guidelines about keeping the pictures of the Lords at home and where the pooja room is to be kept, etc. Normally, it is said that one should not sit in front of the idol in the temple because of cosmic power that is generated from the Yantram installed at the Deity in the Grarbagraham. |
As regards directions of sitting, as regards temple is concerned, one should not sit facing the idol because, it wouldn't be visible to the devotees who are watching the pooja, etc. In respect of the house is concerned, suppose if the picture is kept facing east, which is always most preferred, the person should sit on the right side facing North. The same thing is followed in the temple also, where the Murthy is facing East. If the picture is placed facing north, the pooja performer may have to sit facing east. One should not sit facing the image directly. Suppose, if the above directions are not viable, in that case, one arrange the pictures facing west (which is normally suggested - except in few very temples) and sit in front of the picture facing east and do the pooja. But again one has to sit slightly at the side and not directly. Here, one aspect should be considered i.e. one should not sit on the right side facing south to do the pooja. One should not sit on the left side of the Image. Generally, the pictures are not kept facing the south direction and also the person should not sit facing south direction. I am told that it is not proper according to Hindu Sasthras. Similarly one should not eat the food without offering to God or prior to performing the pooja as the case may be. Normally, if a person takes Deeksha, the Guru teaches everything with clarity. |
I have seen some Hindus facing sideways, like parallel to murtis while praying. Sometimes even sitting that way instead of facing the murti directly. Why?
I feel this is to avoid the onlookers and devotees from not getting a clear darshan of the pooja.
In all the crowded temples like Tirupati, Palani and Guruvayoor, people are allowed to go to the nearest possible place to the Swami...... So I do not think there is any religious reason for praying side ways.